Tiny seaside village with one road has ‘best’ pub and ‘top’ bistro | UK | Travel
Porthgain is compared to a postcard and you can see why (Image: Getty)
A pretty little hamlet nestled on the coast was once a peaceful home to fishermen and their families and these days the tiny village is much-loved for its scenery along with an “excellent” restaurant and a “wonderful” pub. Visitors say it’s “delightful” and “unspoilt” with some “beautiful coastal walks” nearby — and it’s not too much of a tourist trap according to those that have stopped by.
The peaceful creek and village of Porthgain is located on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in South Wales, but there’s just one small road that takes you in and out. Described as a “quintessentially Welsh fishing village” by Wales Cottage Holidays, the charming Porthgain is still served by a local fishing fleet. One of the historic fishermen’s cottages is now home to a cosy pub, the Sloop Inn, which one visitor described as “the best coastal pub in the county”.
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Equally praised is the hamlet’s “brilliant” restaurant, The Shed, famous for its own-caught local fish, including shellfish, which is “landed daily on the quay” in front of the bistro.
The atmospheric harbour has charmed many a visitor, with Porthgain Harbour “even looking stunning” on a wet day — and despite its tiny size there are a few interesting shops along with a couple of “excellent” art galleries to browse in.
One visitor described the spot as “picture postcard perfect”, while another praised the “peaceful haven” after stopping by.
Reviewing their experience on TripAdvisor, one traveller said: “I guess this place could get very busy but the day I was there (early September) it wasn’t at all busy, and it was a lovely, peaceful and picturesque place.”
The unique place looks right over the water and although “half the village is second home owners” Porthgain has managed to retain its charm.
The Shed in Porthgain has hundreds of top-rated reviews – and their fish and chips are popular (Image: Aled Llywelyn)
The Shed is a cosy place to sit and eat at the water’s edge (Image: Visit Wales)
Popular restaurant The Shed carries on the tradition of serving freshly-caught fish but if you’re thinking of trying the fish and chips or gorgeous seafood here it’s best to book in advance, especially during busy times, which includes December, according to locals.
The Shed has over 1,000 top-rated reviews praising the food, staff, location and general vibe, with diners raving about “incredible” fish and chips, “fantastic” meals and delightful desserts.
One visitor wrote about their experience on Google reviews: “Absolutely loved this restaurant, the food and service was first class. We had the mussels, whole sea bream and a rhubarb desert all of which were delicious. The staff were super friendly and there was a great selection of local beers. A stroll around the harbour after was the icing on the cake.”
Another visitor went to Porthgain to “dine at the Sloop Inn” which was also “excellent”, but expressing views on the hamlet area generally, the reviewer shared some interesting thoughts on the place.
The pretty little village is steeped in history, it has a cosy pub and a top-rated bistro (Image: Aled Llywelyn)
The fishing heritage of Porthgain is a tradition The Shed continues to follow (Image: Aled Llywelyn)
On TripAdvisor, the visitor wrote: “In my opinion, there is something else a little tad disturbing about this place (Porthgain Harbour) – a gut feeling, a sadness. I know the history of why it exists. Maybe (it’s) just me.”
Website History Points described some past events at Porthgain: “Porthgain was once a peaceful tidal creek, home to three fishermen’s cottages and two lime kilns. High tide reached the first cottage, where the Sloop Inn stands today.”
History Points added some detail that includes a tragedy: “All this changed in 1851 when the owners of the nearby Abereiddi slate quarry sought a better method of exporting slate than using the beach at Abereiddi, where vessels would run ashore at high tide for loading at low tide and departure on the next high tide.”
The remarkable derelict brickworks still loom over Porthgain Harbour (Image: Getty)
Many decades ago, tragedy struck in Porthgain as a vessel was leaving the habour (Image: Aled Llywelyn)
History Points continued: “Only small vessels, carrying 30 tons or less, could be used, and the weather and tides made the operation hazardous. One vessel leaving Abereiddi was wrecked in a gale in August 1838.”
A remarkable old disused brickworks is still visible at the harbour today, a relic of the early 1800s when mining transformed the village with slate, bricks and stones transported far and wide.
Porthgain granite was a particularly high quality and 40,000 tons annually went to build the roads of Britain. As the tourist boom took hold in the 1960s, areas in Wales, including Porthgain, along with many seaside areas across the country, took on a new lease of life as they were marketed as resorts for holidaymakers, something that remains in demand even now.
